by Derek—2005.09.26 @ 1758
Over the past few years, I’ve had several friends, work colleagues, and family members invite me to join different online “networking” services. Some are simple birthday reminders, others are online address books, and still others are for business networking. My family and friends probably wonder why I rarely sign up, and I want to reassure them it has nothing to do with them personally, or with the service itself, per se.
Each service (and others like them) are probably great tools; however, I just don’t use them. That pretty much sums it up. If I don’t use the service, it doesn’t help either of us. The irony is that I use the Web a lot. However, I’m also more of a traditionalist when it comes to networking: I maintain a private, pen-and-paper address book, calendar, and planner; I keep up with friends and colleagues (their birthday’s too) with notes, letters, e-mail, and phone calls; and I believe the best kind of networking has a personal touch.
I’ve spent hundreds of dollars on Palm Pilots, electronic organizers, and programs that were designed to keep me more informed and make sure I “never forget anyone’s birthday again.” I found, however, that I’m much more of a “pen-and-paper” sort of guy. For me, automated greeting cards and reminders take away a human touch that I found means a lot. Sure, it may be easier to have your address book automatically update, but I found that I much prefer taking the time to call or write and add the human touch which always seems to brighten people’s day.
In fact, if you really want to brighten my day, send me a book wrapped in a “brown paper package, tied up with strings.” I’ll always respond to that.
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